[Farm93]

Even if the Stanford administration cares about the late kicks, for a while they claimed to be concerned, the reality is that most of the other 11 Pac-12 schools will want to take a top dollar contract over a contract the protects traditions.

The tipping point schools for tradition and fan experience vs. maximizing TV money are probably the likes of UofA, ASU or Colorado for any future TV deal.  Stanford with its financial and physical resources will not be a swing vote.

Given the horrible balance sheets around the Pac-12 look for Scott, or Scott's cheaper replacement, to sell every possible tradition for a few extra million per school.  Stanford administrators have to know that lobbying for their concerns is not likely to persuade those facing massive budget challenges.  Best to just try to help alums accept the reality.

I hear the risk of skin cancer is reduced dramatically if people avoid sitting in the sun for several hours at a time. 

The Pac-12 Cares!  ;D

[Farm93]

Even if the Stanford administration cares about the late kicks, for a while they claimed to be concerned, the reality is that most of the other 11 Pac-12 schools will want to take a top dollar contract over a contract the protects traditions.

The tipping point schools for tradition and fan experience vs. maximizing TV money are probably the likes of UofA, ASU or Colorado for any future TV deal.  Stanford with its financial and physical resources will not be a swing vote.

Given the horrible balance sheets around the Pac-12 look for Scott, or Scott's cheaper replacement, to sell every possible tradition for a few extra million per school.  Stanford administrators have to know that lobbying for their concerns is not likely to persuade those facing massive budget challenges.  Best to just try to help alums accept the reality.

I hear the risk of skin cancer is reduced dramatically if people avoid sitting in the sun for several hours at a time. 

The Pac-12 Cares!  ;D

[CTcard]

I am certainly in the camp that does not like futzing around with college sports traditions, moving games off Saturdays, moving games out of reasonable time slots. However, a reasonable conversation should at least acknowledge that revenue is a real issue that allows for the support of many intercollegiate sports and for the Pac 12 teams to remain competitive with other leagues.

Wilner likes writing about financial issues for the Pac 12, in fact he seems to prefer that to writing about actual sports. Earlier this month he had an article outlining the basic issue facing the Pac 12 - for TV rights the Pac 12 is looking at a $13 million dollar per school per year revenue shortfall versus the SEC and Big Ten, something closer to $5 million per school deficit to the Big 12, and probably something similar to the ACC though he doesn't have much info for that conference. If the conference merely accedes to that discrepancy, or allows it to grow in order to go back to Saturday afternoon games only, it's hard to see how they can remain competitive.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/05/18/co...ectacular/


I would personally still opt for having the Pac 12 limit the kind of scheduling distortions allowed for the benefit of TV, hoping to make up revenue in other areas (required donations for seats??) but willing to sacrifice if that isn't possible (fewer national championships?). Still, I don't think it's too helpful to wail about the problems without acknowledging the trade-offs.

[CTcard]

I am certainly in the camp that does not like futzing around with college sports traditions, moving games off Saturdays, moving games out of reasonable time slots. However, a reasonable conversation should at least acknowledge that revenue is a real issue that allows for the support of many intercollegiate sports and for the Pac 12 teams to remain competitive with other leagues.

Wilner likes writing about financial issues for the Pac 12, in fact he seems to prefer that to writing about actual sports. Earlier this month he had an article outlining the basic issue facing the Pac 12 - for TV rights the Pac 12 is looking at a $13 million dollar per school per year revenue shortfall versus the SEC and Big Ten, something closer to $5 million per school deficit to the Big 12, and probably something similar to the ACC though he doesn't have much info for that conference. If the conference merely accedes to that discrepancy, or allows it to grow in order to go back to Saturday afternoon games only, it's hard to see how they can remain competitive.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/05/18/co...ectacular/


I would personally still opt for having the Pac 12 limit the kind of scheduling distortions allowed for the benefit of TV, hoping to make up revenue in other areas (required donations for seats??) but willing to sacrifice if that isn't possible (fewer national championships?). Still, I don't think it's too helpful to wail about the problems without acknowledging the trade-offs.

[winflop]

I think something simple like a maximum number of 6pm+ kicks for any one team - like 4 or 5 - would be necessary in the next TV contract. I just hope we have a Pac-12 commissioner who's willing to stand up for it, even if it costs money.

[winflop]

I think something simple like a maximum number of 6pm+ kicks for any one team - like 4 or 5 - would be necessary in the next TV contract. I just hope we have a Pac-12 commissioner who's willing to stand up for it, even if it costs money.

[stupac2]

There is a strong case to be made that the late game schedule cost Stanford three    's. I think Newton was the superior player in Andrew's soph year even if he was an under the table pro. Toby, Andrew in '11 and Mac in '15 were the best players in the country and close enough in the vote that early TV times might have been the difference. The Stanford administration is mum on the point and it appears that they offer no resistance to late kickoffs and last minute scheduling.

That said, it doesn't matter to the league and its bottom line-conscious administration. So now I can pick the games I wish to attend because you can always find a ticket if you really want to go. I'm sure that Larry What's his Name could care less.

Toby was before this contract and if the problem is that people were watching Alabama instead of Stanford, how would putting games on at the same time as Alabama's help anything?

The reason we get shafted is that we have a smaller fanbase and are on the west coast. Full stop. If you want the media to care about Stanford, there need to be more of us, and we need to move east of the Mississippi. Good luck.

[stupac2]

There is a strong case to be made that the late game schedule cost Stanford three    's. I think Newton was the superior player in Andrew's soph year even if he was an under the table pro. Toby, Andrew in '11 and Mac in '15 were the best players in the country and close enough in the vote that early TV times might have been the difference. The Stanford administration is mum on the point and it appears that they offer no resistance to late kickoffs and last minute scheduling.

That said, it doesn't matter to the league and its bottom line-conscious administration. So now I can pick the games I wish to attend because you can always find a ticket if you really want to go. I'm sure that Larry What's his Name could care less.

Toby was before this contract and if the problem is that people were watching Alabama instead of Stanford, how would putting games on at the same time as Alabama's help anything?

The reason we get shafted is that we have a smaller fanbase and are on the west coast. Full stop. If you want the media to care about Stanford, there need to be more of us, and we need to move east of the Mississippi. Good luck.